Improvement in straw-cutters



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

I. N. Le COMPTE. STRAW-CUTTER.

Patented Aug.29,1876.

I N-FET RS, PHOTO-LITHUGRAPHER WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC N. LE OOMPTE, OF EMINENCE, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEM ENT IN STRAW-CUTTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 18 L581, dated August 29, 1876; application filed January 27, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC N. LE OOMPTE, of Eminence, in the county of Henry and State of Kentucky, have invented certain Improvements in StI'aWUut-ters, of which the following is a specification My invention consists in constructing a straw-cutter with a cabinet-case, which can be quickly folded into a compact form to inclose andprotect the knife, or as quickly extended for use; and also in a peculiar mannor of mounting and attaching the knife, and

in other details hereinafter described.

Figure lis a perspective view ofmy'machine folded or closed; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the machine adjusted for operation; Fig. 3, a perspective view, showing the arm or link to which the knife is pivoted; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the machine with one side of the cabinet open, showing the manner in which the knife is arranged when not in use; Fig. 5, atop plan view of the machine adjusted for operation.

In constructing the machine I first provide a bed-piece or table, A, having two converging side boards, B, between which to place the straw, and mount the same upon two upright end boards, 0, which are secured upon a base-board, D, as shown. To one side of the table I hinge the upper edge of a falling leaf or board, E, and on the opposite side of the machine I mount a board, F, swinging on.

vertical pivots a at one end, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the board and leaf being each made of the full width of the machine, and of such width as to extend from the top to the baseboard.

When the machine is not to be .used, the leaf and the board F are closed against the sides, as'shown in Fig. 1, converting the machine into a close cabinet or case; but when the machine is to be operated the leaf E is turned up in a horizontal position, and the board F swung clear around against the end of the frame, so as to rest under and sustain the leaf, as shown in Figs..2 and 5. The swinging board F has its free end provided with a supporting-roller, z, and with a sliding bolt, g, by which it can be fastened in either of its two positions. The bottom or base board D is provided with a hook, h, by which the leaf is fastened down before closing the side board, as shown in Fig". 3.

The knife or cutter H is made of a flat curved form, provided at one end with ahandle, and pivoted at the other end to the swinging end of a 1ink,'Gr, which I pivot to the innerface of the swinging board 1*, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, so that when the case or body is extended for use the .knife is in position to swing up and down past the end of the table, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Near the lower edge of the swinging board F I provide it with a staple or socket, I, in which to rest the handle of the knife when the latter is not tobe used, as shown in Fig. 4, so that upon closing the machine or cabinet the knife will be concealed, protected, and prevented from causing injury to persons engaged about or passing by the machine, the concealment being especially, important where the machine is used where there are children.

By hanging the knife on the swinging link it is permitted to act with a drawing or shearing niovement. p

In order to permit the ready removal of the knife when it is to be sharpened, the link G is constructed, as shown in Fig. 3, of two parallel plates hinged together, the inner plate being provided-with a stud to receive the knife, and with a spring-catch, d, to holdthe upper end of the outer plate, which is turned up against the outside of the knife to retain it inlplace on the stud.

The leaf E serves not only to close the side of the machine, but also,'when extended, as a table, upon which the straw or other material my be placed in a quantity, so that it can be readily fed into the machine by the operator with his left hand, while with his right hand he works the knife up and down.

Having described my machine, what I claim 1s 1. The straw cutting machine, provided with the knife H, and having its frame so constructed that it can be converted at will into a close case or cabinet surrounding and inclosing the knife, substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with the cutting-table A and end boards 0, the hinged leaf E, and the swinging board F, having the knife H pivoted thereto. y

3. In combination with the knife H, the link G, consisting of the two arms hinged together andprovided with the pivot e and. spring-catchv d, as shown.

ISAAC NEWTON LE GOMPTE.

Witnesses:

J OHN-F. WHITE;v I. W. HARRIS. 

